Parting Blessings for Moravians

Dan Graves, MSL

Church History Timeline

In 1731 Count Zinzendorf returned to Herrnhut from Copenhagen with an
appeal that would change the face of Protestantism. He had met two
Eskimos from Egede's Greenland mission. It looked as if the Greenland
mission was about to fail. Shouldn't Herrnhut send someone to take
Egede's place? The Moravians agreed. In a meeting held August 21, 1732,
Christian David, a carpenter, and some other laymen were designated to
go. They arrived in Greenland in May of 1733.

In Copenhagen, the count had also met a former slave, Anthony Ulrich,
of St. Thomas Island. Anthony described the terrible brutality of
slavery on the island. Slaves were utterly without Christ and were
whipped if they came near a church. This account, relayed through
Zinzendorf to the brethren at Herrnhut, greatly shocked them. Two close
friends, Dober and Leupold were unable to sleep because of it. Surely
Christ would want them to go to St. Thomas, even if they had to become
slaves themselves in order to witness to the Negroes.

They asked permission to go, but it was refused. Everyone in the
community saw only obstacles. The young men persisted and finally asked
that the lot be drawn to determine if the Lord would allow them to go.
Dober was selected, Leupold not. David Nitschmann, a man of experience
and honor, offered to accompany Dober for a few months and help him get
established in the islands.

The community of Herrnhut blessed the two men and sent them to
Copenhagen to find a ship for St. Thomas. Many brethren were still
opposed to the experiment, but Dober was determined to lay his life down
if need be to bring the gospel to the slaves. Zinzendorf rode part way
with them--to Bautzen, Germany--giving his final blessing on this day, August 25, 1732.

On the 300 mile trip to Copenhagen, Dober and Nitschmann met much
skepticism. Virtually everyone told them it was folly to go to St.
Thomas. To preach to slaves was absurd. Fever would kill the
missionaries. Even Anthony changed his mind but did write them a letter
of introduction to his sister.

In Copenhagen, help came from an unexpected quarter. Princess
Charlotte Amelia learned of the mission and was moved to give funds and
a Bible. A Dutch ship was found to take them and the two sailed in
October. During the voyage the sailors continually scoffed at the
mission which they said must undoubtedly fail. They tried to frighten
the Moravians with stories of plague.

After much labor and years of fruitless suffering, Dober won his
first convert--a boy. Anthony's sister was also brought to Christ. The
Moravians later extended their mission work to the whole world.

Bibliography:

Neill, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. The
Pelican History of the Church #6. Hammondsworth, Middlesex, England:
Pelican Books, 1964.